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September 18, 2026 September 18, 2026
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From microscopes to binoculars, gene sequences to organisms, and molecules to ecosystems—welcome to the study of the biological sciences across the scales of life at Krea University. Through this major, students will explore the origins of the various components that make up the biological sciences as we understand them today. While there is no strict historical progression from the small to the large, or vice versa, we will examine how contemporaneous discoveries, alongside theoretical and socio-historical developments, have shaped each other—for example, genetics and the theory of evolution.
The major will also highlight the crucial role of technology in enabling both elucidation and discovery, from the use of optics to study the cell to the application of artificial intelligence in customised gene therapy. A distinct aspect of the Biological Sciences major at Krea is its emphasis on ways of knowing—through model organisms and instrumentation—which fosters an appreciation for the discipline’s evolution. The ethical foundations of research in the biological sciences will also be foregrounded, including the implications of genome editing through CRISPR technology and the persistent spectre of eugenics since its emergence over a century ago.
The curriculum is designed with an integrative approach to develop well-rounded graduates equipped for an ever-evolving discipline. With a higher number of required courses than many leading international programmes, we ensure that students gain sufficient exposure to, and appreciation of, the inherently interconnected areas of the biological sciences. Importantly, our curriculum is distinctive in how it approaches concepts both within and across courses—not linearly or in silos, but through the lens of framing questions to develop a holistic understanding of biological processes and events. This results in a sequencing of critical concepts that differs from traditional biology curricula.
Students majoring in Biological Sciences will work across multiple scales, both in the classroom and beyond, gaining hands-on experience in the laboratory and in the field. For genetic and cytological studies, the laboratory will serve as the primary site of exploration, while ecological inquiries will rely heavily on fieldwork.
Required courses will introduce students to a broad landscape of possibilities within the discipline and through cross-disciplinary connections ranging from history to computation. Elective courses will support individual interests—whether integrating concepts across levels of biological organisation or pursuing a focused understanding of a specific area. Finally, the capstone thesis will enable students to rigorously investigate a chosen domain within the biological sciences and develop the skills needed to explore fundamental questions about how life works.
Assessments are an essential part of the Biological Sciences programme. At the Biological Sciences Discipline, we aim to make assessments an integral part of the learning process rather than an end in and of themselves. For example, instead of relying on a few high-stakes, end-point assessments (such as examinations), we prefer to use continuous assessments based on multiple criteria. Such assessments help students continually monitor their progress and make informed judgements about their strengths and weaknesses. By using varied and well-designed assessments, the Biological Sciences Discipline enables students to learn together in a supportive, fair and equitable environment.
The assessment methods used across SIAS courses include:
Biological Sciences graduation requirements for the three-year and four-year degree programmes:
| Credits needed to earn a Single Major inBiological Sciences | Credits needed to earn a Double Major inBiological Sciences | Credits needed to earn a Minor in BiologicalSciences | Credits needed to earn a Concentration inBiological Sciences | |
| 3-Year Programme | 64 | 48 | 24 | 16 |
| 4-Year Programme | 80 | 64 | 32 | 16 |
Biological Sciences graduation requirements for the three-year and four-year degree programmes:
| Single Major | Double Major | Minor | Concentration | |||||
| Required | Elective | Required | Elective | Required | Elective | Required | Elective | |
| 3-Year Programme | 48 | 16 | 48 | 0 | 20 | 4 | 8 | 8 |
| 4-Year Programme | 48 | 32 | 48 | 16 | 28 | 4 | 8 | 8 |
To earn a Biological Sciences Major, Minor, or Concentration, students must complete the required and elective credits in Biological Sciences courses as indicated above.
The Mazumdar-Shaw Biological Sciences Laboratory at Krea is equipped and staffed to instruct students in the empirical approach to the biological sciences. The lab is testimony to the University’s philosophy of teaching and learning through practice.
Instruction in the lab is delivered by scientists active in their areas of research. Class sizes are kept deliberately small to enable superior instructor–student interaction and an enhanced learning experience. The instruments in the lab support a wide range of procedures in the biological sciences—zoological and botanical specimen preparation and observation; biochemical preparation, purification, and analysis of samples; molecular cloning techniques; multiplexed immunological assays; spectroscopic and calorimetric measurements; ecological observation and measurement; and data analysis, inference, and interpretation.
In keeping with Krea’s philosophy, Biology hosts two exclusive lab courses—Biochemistry and Microbiology Lab (Lab I), and Genetics and Cell Biology Lab (Lab II)—in addition to the lab components offered in several other BIOS courses. Additions to this set of lab courses are likely in the near future as the curriculum evolves. Having received basic instruction in laboratory techniques, students are encouraged to use the lab to ask and answer questions.
Practical instruction during a student’s capstone project can extend to the BIOS research labs: a lab for microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular and cellular biology research; a nuclear magnetic resonance and Raman spectroscopy facility; a BSL-2 level unit for pathogen research; and a greenhouse for ecological research. An instrumentation cell in the planned School of Life Sciences is expected to further expand biological research capabilities at Krea.
The Biological Sciences graduate will be prepared by the programme to engage with a suite of approaches and careers, ranging from academic research to public policy.
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Krea University has partnerships with leading universities in India and abroad that offer students pathways for higher education and research. These collaborations create opportunities for postgraduate study, academic exchange, and continued learning across disciplines.
Professor Guha Dharmarajan, Professor, Biological Sciences
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Let’s help you take the first step into the Kreaverse. We encourage you to explore the various facets of the admissions process in-depth, and reach out to us in case of any queries. We look forward to supporting you in any way we can.
